Tokaido
Publisher: Stonemaier Games
Release Date: April, 2025
MSRP: $30.00
Creator(s): Antoine Bauza (Designer); Naïade (Artist)
Format: Boxed Board Game
Number of Players: 1 to 5
Playing Time: 45 mins.
Age Rating: 8 and up
Product #: STM275
ICv2 Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

I confess I was a little surprised when I was asked to take a look at Stonemaier's revised edition of Tokaido.  Hasn't the game been out for a while?  Surely even the clever folks at Stonemaier could not improve on such an elegant design, could they?  Then I read about the updates that had been made, and my question became how well had they updated the game?

Summary:  For those unfamiliar with the 2012 Funforge design, Tokaido imagines the Japanese tradition of traveling along the "East sea road" between Kyoto and Edo.  Along the way, our travelers hope to have the most meaningful journey possible, collecting souvenirs, chatting with other travelers along the way, praying in the many temples, and simply enjoying the beauty of the landscape, all while stopping at inns to enjoy a lovely meal at the end of each day.  The game represents this journey along a linear path that players move along, each space representing a different kind of attraction.  Unlike most games, players do not follow a fixed order of turns, rather much like golf, the player furthest from the goal takes the next turn.  You can travel as far as you wish each turn, but while moving a greater distance may give you first shot at a desirable reward, it may result in your opponents getting "extra" turns compared to you.

Points are awarded for nearly every site a player visits during their voyage, but much of the strategy of the game develops around the competition for the Achievement cards.  These bonuses are granted either to the player who is the first to achieve a goal or, at the end of the game, whoever has fulfilled it the best.

Originality:  The original Tokaido was already a solid design, and in my opinion Stonemaier was wise to leave well enough alone.  The "revision" of this version covers three areas.  First, the components were brought up to what would be considered a "modern standard" in terms of quality.  Second, a new way to play the game solo was added through the capable agency of Automa Factory.  Last, and perhaps most valuably, the rulebook was re-written for better clarity and readability, and text was added to some cards to assist players during the game along with a handy player aid.

Presentation:  Appropriately to the theme and setting, Tokaido features a minimalistic aesthetic, with splendid illustrations by Naiade and graphics from Funforge Studio.  The art is nicely balanced with white space, creating a clean and uncluttered feel that stands in contrast to the "busyness" I find in many modern game products.  To me, the result is almost a sort of "zen-like" playing experience that is relaxing and pleasant, and works nicely with the non-aggressive competitiveness of the gameplay.

Quality:  All of the Stonemaier games I have encountered have shown great attention to this element of game production, and Tokaido continues that tradition.  One of the stated goals of this edition was to update the components, and the results are very nice.  The box is sturdy and solid, with not-too-much empty space inside.  The cards are good quality, with springy stock and a nice linen finish.  The wooden pieces are good, and the cardboard tokens and tiles are thick and sturdy.  The rulebook features a linen finish like the cards instead of glossy, which feels surprisingly pleasant in the hand.

Marketability:  Tokaido offers high-quality components and compelling gameplay at a very reasonable price.  This is one of those middle-weight strategy games that I think deserves to always be in print, offering familiar mechanics put together in an intriguing way that makes it distinctive and enjoyable.  But, there is the challenge of bringing back a design more than a decade old, especially one that deliberately avoids the sort of over-the-top production common to a lot of games today.

Overall:  I enjoyed Tokaido when it first came out, and to be honest I think I enjoy it even more now.  Sometimes, you just want to relax and have a fun time with a game that is a little competitive, but in a way that does not involve direct confrontation with the other players.  It is easy to imagine oneself wandering along a medieval Japanese road, taking in the sights and just enjoying the countryside.  Kind of like my favorite type of vacation…  The solo mode was surprisingly challenging despite its inherently random nature, and I appreciate the built-in method to adjust the difficulty.  While I am not convinced that every game needs a solo mode, despite current trends in that direction in our post-pandemic world, I think it works well with the theme here and I enjoyed it more than I expected to.  I appreciate the updates Stonemaier has made.  I found the rulebook easier to use as a reference compared to the original, and the notes about character abilities on the tiles and the player aid cards are invaluable when teaching the game to new players.  I also find that I prefer the around-the-edge scoring track over the zig-zag layout of the original.  Its little things, but they just ease the experience of playing along.

My only reservation about this revised edition is the question of how well it will stand out in the cluttered modern marketplace.  While the updates are very good and appreciated, the only new element is the solo mode, which many players may find little use for.  Compared to the over-produced "toy value" games that seem to dominate the market, the elegant simplicity of Tokaido may cause it to be lost in the wilderness.  Assuming it can avoid that fate, it should enjoy a very pleasant journey.

That's why I'm giving this game 4 out of 5.